BOUNTIFUL — Darren Denucci, who played football for Bountiful High School and recently completed a season for third-ranked Snow College, has a big trip coming up Friday.

Starting Friday and going through the weekend, the former Braves’ player will be traveling to Mississippi, where he served his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for an official visit with the University of Southern Mississippi*.

Southern Miss, known as the Golden Eagles, play in Conference USA in football and so far is the only team to have officially offered Denucci a scholarship.

“He loved it down there when he served his mission,” said Frank Denucci, Darren’s father. “He already knows the area from being there before, and with him having a successful year at Snow, he’s already looking forward to going.”

His family is hopeful that this initial visit may lead to more offers.

Frank said he has seen interest from several schools ranging from Florida, Louisiana State, Texas A&M and Texas Tech in the south, to Arizona, University of Southern California and Oregon State in the PAC-12.

Denucci played primarily left tackle for Snow last season, helping the team finish 11-1 with a victory in the Carrier Dome Bowl over Advanced Software Analysis College.

“(Southern Miss) has said they want him to come down there,” said Frank Denucci. “He’s just excited to go, so we’ll see.”

Darren finished his high school career as an All-State offensive lineman. Last season at Snow, he helped the school’s running back, Breon Allen, lead the Western States Football League in rushing yards and touchdowns.

This article was amended to reflect the name change of Southern Mississippi University to the University of Southern Mississippi.